Top 5 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers of the Week (July 2nd)

It is difficult to find a more valuable catcher than John Buck these days.

This week we have a variety of players as far as production and positions are concerned. Short stops and catchers are always difficult to find, and this week we have got one for each position for you. Start these players for the week and thank us later, here is this week’s Waiver Wire.

#1. Austin Jackson, CF, Detroit Tigers

He doesn’t have spectacular numbers for the season but he is a rookie that is contributing right away for the Tigers. For the season, he’s batting .308 with a home run and 17 RBI at the leadoff spot for the Tigers. The past six games, he’s batting .333, 7-21, with eight runs, a double, two RBI and three stolen bases. The Tigers have a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins. The Orioles have consistently been at the bottom of the league when it comes to team ERA. At the moment, they’re third worst in the Major League at 5.02. At the lead of spot, Jackson can provide that spark the Tigers need to score runs. After that, comes the division rivals Minnesota Twins. The Tigers only took one of three this week and continue to trail the Twins. This week the Tigers are home and desperately want to be on top of the division. Jackson could be the one to put them over the hump. In nine games, he batted .361, 13-36, with 10 runs, three doubles, one triple, three walks, two RBI and two stolen bases against the Twins. He is only owned by 54% of leagues and is going to have a big week.

#2. Orlando Cabrera, SS, Cincinnati Reds

The last six games, Cabrera is batting .333, 8-24, with three runs, two doubles, three RBI, two walks and a stolen base. His batting average is down this year compared to other years but there is lots of baseball to be played. For the season, he’s batting .245 with three home runs and 30 RBI. Cincinnati has a three-game series against the NY Mets and a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cabrera has played well against both teams this year. In the three-games against the Mets he was 5-12 with one run, one home run, two RBI and two walks. In three games against the Phillies he was 5-13 with one run, one double and three RBI. He’s owned by 40% of leagues. Cabrera is a great short-term solution this week for the short stop position.

#3. John Buck, C, Toronto Blue Jays

If you’re in need for catcher, I got the man for you. For the season, Buck is batting .263 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI. He’s only owned in 44% of leagues so he could definitely be picked up in the waiver wire. The Blue Jays have a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox. You can start Buck against both of these teams this week. Buck appeared in one game against the Twins this year and went 1-3 with a walk. In four games against the Red Sox, Buck batted .313, 5-16, with two runs, three doubles and two RBI. He hasn’t been doing well of late. The last five games, he’s batting .214, 3-14, one run, one home run, two RBI and a walk. However, everyone bounces back. This week, Buck will bounce back with a good series against the Twins and an even better one against the Red Sox.

#4. Bobby Abreu, RF, LA Angels

Abreu has been in the league for 14 years and he’s been a great power hitter that knows how to drive in runs. However, this year hasn’t been that great for him. This season, he’s batting .267 with 8 home runs and 42 RBI. The last six games, he’s batting .261, 6-23, with four runs, double, triple, 5 RBI, four walks and three stolen bases. The Angels have a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox and a three game series against the Oakland Athletics. In two games against the White Sox, he went 1-7 with two runs and a double. However, I would still start Abreu against the White Sox. They don’t have the greatest pitching staff and I see Abreu having a big series. In nine games against the Athletics, Abreu batted .324, 12-37, with eight runs, three doubles, three home runs and six RBI. Abreu is a great start for the entire week.

#5. Carlos Lee, RF, Houston Astros

Lee is having a little bit of a down season. He’s batting .234 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI. However, the last seven games have been good. He’s batting .296, 8-27, withthree runs, four doubles, two RBI and six walks. Astros have a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. In two games against the pirates he went 3-9 with three runs, a double, a triple and four RBI. However, you don’t want to play him against the Cardinals. In six games, he went 1-22 with one run, one RBI and two walks. Try to avoid this match up if all possible. However, he should have a great series against the Pirates. The Pirates have the second worst ERA in the major league, 5.15